Change Your Facebook Name Through Settings

To change your Facebook name, open Facebook on any device, go to the menu in the top right corner, select Settings and privacy, then click Settings. From there, find Personal information in the left sidebar and click it. You'll see your current name listed — click Edit next to it to open the name change form.

Type your new name into the fields provided. Facebook splits the name into First name and Last name, though you can leave either blank if you prefer. Once you've entered what you want, click Review change at the bottom, then Save changes. Your new name appears on your profile and in comments, messages, and posts within minutes.

On mobile, the path is slightly different but leads to the same place. Open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the bottom right, scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information and follow the same steps to edit and save your name.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name by going to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Personal information, and clicking Edit next to your name.
  • Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you want to change it again soon.
  • Your new name shows up across your profile, comments, and messages within a few minutes of saving.
  • If you see an error message saying your name contains invalid characters, remove symbols, numbers, or unusual punctuation and try again.
  • You can use a nickname, a single name, or any combination of letters — Facebook does not require your legal name.

Understanding the 60-Day Waiting Period

Facebook limits how often you can change your name to once every 60 days. This rule applies whether you're changing from your first name to a nickname, switching to your legal name, or anything else. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed since your last change, Facebook will show a message telling you when you can change it again.

The 60-day timer starts from the moment you save a name change, not from when you click Edit. If you open the form, type a new name, and then close the page without saving, the timer does not start. This means you can experiment with what your new name will look like without using up your one change per 60 days.

What Names Facebook Will and Won't Accept

Facebook has rules about what characters and formats it accepts in names. You can use letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes — so names like "Mary-Jane" or "O'Connor" work fine. Numbers, symbols like @, &, or !, and repeated punctuation usually trigger an error message.

You do not have to use your legal name. Facebook allows nicknames, single names, stage names, and other variations. However, if your name looks like spam or appears designed to confuse other users — for example, a string of random characters or a name that mimics Facebook itself — the system may reject it. If you get an error, try removing any numbers or symbols and use only letters and standard punctuation.

Changing Your Name on Different Devices

The steps are the same whether you use a computer, phone, or tablet, but the menu layout differs slightly. On a desktop or laptop, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook and select Settings and privacy. On an iPhone or Android phone, tap the three lines at the bottom right and scroll to find Settings and privacy.

Once you reach Settings, the path is identical across all devices: Personal information → Edit next to your name → type your new name → Review change → Save changes. If you're using Facebook in a web browser on your phone instead of the app, follow the desktop steps instead.

What Happens to Your Old Name

When you change your name, your old name disappears from your profile and all public places on Facebook. People who knew your old name will see only your new name when they visit your profile or read your comments and posts. The change is when ready and applies everywhere on Facebook at once.

Your old name does not appear in a history that other people can see. However, Facebook keeps a record of your name changes for its own records. If you change your name back and forth repeatedly in a short time, Facebook may flag the account for review, though this is rare. For most people, changing your name once every 60 days causes no issues.

Fixing Common Name Change Errors

The most common error is "This name contains invalid characters." This happens when you include numbers, symbols, or punctuation that Facebook does not allow in names. Remove anything that is not a letter, space, hyphen, or apostrophe and try again. For example, change "Mary_Jane" to "Mary Jane" or "Mary-Jane."

If you see "You can't change your name right now," you have already changed your name within the last 60 days. Wait until the timer runs out, then try again. The error message usually tells you the exact date you can change it next. If you see a different error or the form will not load at all, try logging out and back in, or use a different device or browser.

Changing Your Username vs. Your Display Name

Facebook has two separate name settings that can confuse people. Your display name is what appears on your profile and in comments — this is what you change in Settings and privacy under Personal information. Your username is the handle that appears in your profile URL (for example, facebook.com/yourname) and is used for messaging.

You can change your username separately, and it does not count toward the 60-day limit for display name changes. To change your username, go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then find Username in the left sidebar. You can change your username once every 60 days as well, but the two timers are separate — you could change your display name today and your username tomorrow without hitting the waiting period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name more than once every 60 days?

No, Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, you'll see an error message with the date you can change it next. The only exception is if you contact Facebook support and explain that your previous name change was made in error, though support rarely overrides this rule.

Will my friends see a notification when I change my name?

Facebook does not send notifications to your friends when you change your name. However, if they visit your profile or see your comments after the change, they will see your new name. Some people may notice the change if they see you active in groups or on posts, but there is no alert or announcement.

What if I want to change my name back to what it was before?

You can change your name back, but you still have to wait 60 days from your last change. If you changed your name a week ago and now want to revert, you'll need to wait about 53 more days. Once the 60-day period is up, go back to Settings and privacy, Personal information, and edit your name to whatever you want.

Can I use special characters like accents or symbols in my name?

You can use accented letters (like é, ñ, or ü) in your name, and Facebook will accept them. However, symbols like @, #, $, or ! are not allowed. Hyphens and apostrophes are fine. If you're trying to use a character and Facebook rejects it, try removing it or replacing it with a standard letter.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook messages or friend list?

No, changing your name does not affect your messages, friend list, or any of your account data. Your messages stay in your inbox, your friends remain your friends, and your posts and photos stay on your profile. Only the name that displays next to these things changes.